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The summer of sport isn’t over yet. The Paralympics have started up in Paris and will run until September. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about where to watch the Paralympics around the world, including free streaming options.
The Paralympics first took place in 1960, and the Paralympic Committee was officially founded in 1989, per the IPC. The games run parallel to the Olympics, usually taking place in the following weeks, and showcase the world’s best athletes with impairments. The Summer Paralympics consist of more than 4,000 athletes participating in 22 sports, including wheelchair basketball, para athletics, and para swimming.
The Paralympics kicked off on August 28 with the Opening Ceremony, and competition officially began on August 29. The US flagbearers were Steve Serio and Nicky Nieves, who have won gold medals for wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, respectively. The games will conclude on September 8 with the Closing Ceremony, which will feature 24 French electro artists.
Below, we’ve outlined all the ways to watch the Paralympics. For many countries, the streaming platforms are the same as coverage for the Olympics, but there are a few key differences to note. Keep checking back here throughout the Paralympics for updated info on notable events.
Where to watch the Paralympics in the US
Like the Olympics, the Paralympics will live stream through Peacock in the United States. Subscriptions start at $8 a month or $80 a year. This was also the US streaming hub for the Olympics this summer. The service offers a host of live sports coverage, including cycling, golf, and Sunday Night Football.
Peacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football. Prices start at $8 a month, with additional discounts on annual plans.
Where to watch the Paralympics in the UK
The Paralympics will live stream for free on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel in the United Kingdom. This requires no account creation and you’ll just need to navigate to the page to be able to watch. This option will offer up to 18 concurrent streams, meaning that you’ll most likely be able to catch every televised moment of the Paralympics here. Plus, there’s no account creation required.
Where to watch the Paralympics in Australia
As with the Olympics, the Paralympics will be shown for free on 9Now in Australia. This option will carry most major coverage and just requires account creation to access. Australians hoping to watch absolutely every moment of the Paralympics ad-free can subscribe to Stan Sport, which will run you about $27 a month (a $12 base tier and the $25 Sport add-on).
Where to watch the Paralympics in France
The Paralympics will live stream for free on France.TV in France. You just need to create an account to start watching. This was also the French home to the Olympics this year.
How to watch the Paralympics from anywhere
If you happen to be away from the above countries during any notable events, you don’t need to worry about missing out on anything. You can still keep up with your free live streaming options using a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs are handy tools that allow you to temporarily alter your device’s virtual location, meaning that you can still access your usual websites from anywhere. VPNs are popular among those looking for a way to upgrade their online security and keep up with their usual suite of apps while traveling.
Time and time again, ExpressVPN is our go-to VPN recommendation. The service is user-friendly and offers a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so there are no worries if you find it’s not what you’re looking for. Check out our ExpressVPN review for additional information, and see below to learn how to use it.
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How to watch the Paralympics with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don’t already have one.
- Install it on the device you’re using to watch the event.
- Turn it on and set it to the location of the streaming service.
- Go to the Channel 4 YouTube (UK), 9Now (Australia), or France.TV (France), and create a login if necessary.
- Enjoy the Paralympics.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming for Business Insider. She joined the company in early 2024 as a Fellow before joining us full-time a few months later. She focuses on ‘how to watch’ guides for streaming services and live events for the Reviews team. She also covers VPN usage.Her entertainment writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Vulture, TV Guide, Time, Esquire, and The Daily Beast, among others. She specializes in writing about film and television. Previously, she worked in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe.When not teaching people how to stream the best live sports and TV shows, Lillian can be found long-distance running, watching the latest season of For All Mankind, or playing through The Last of Us Part II on her PS4 yet again.
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